The Sustainable Development Goals – A global, transdisciplinary vision for the future

The Sustainable Development Goals – A global, transdisciplinary vision for the future

University of Copenhagen

About this course: In 2015, the UN launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Adopted by 193 member states, the goals represent an important international step in setting humanity on a trajectory towards sustainable development. Within this course, you will get a historical overview of how sustainability has been understood, as well as a thorough introduction to the SDGs – what they are, how progress can be measured, and how the SDGs are relevant for the management of the global systems supporting humanity. The course will examine how various societal actors are responding to and implementing the SDGs.
While all of the SDGs are essential to sustainable development, SDG 13, Climate Action, is usually perceived as the most urgent in terms of the need for a swift implementation on a global scale. Therefore, particular focus is given to this SDG. Through the course, you will gain up-to-date knowledge of the current understanding of human impacts on the Earth at the planetary level. Progress towards establishing global management of human interactions with the climate system within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is also discussed.
The course is designed and taught by Professor Katherine Richardson, who is a member of the 15-person panel appointed by the UN General Secretary in 2016 to write the 2019 Global Sustainable Development Report. In each lecture, Katherine interviews experts who provide insights relevant to the topic at hand.

Who is this class for: Sustainability considerations are relevant within all fields of study. This course, therefore, assumes no prior knowledge and can supplement curricula in any discipline. This course adopts a transdisciplinary approach to the SDGs and is intended for anyone with an interest in sustainability, climate change, political action and solutions. Thus, the course is relevant for all students, regardless of their background.

In this first module, you will be introduced to the concept of sustainability, its roots, and history of development. The framework of the SDGs is outlined in more detail, and we will discuss what sets them apart from previous international agreements, how we can measure progress and how the goals are interconnected. We will touch upon food systems, as an example of how the SDGs are relevant for - and can be implemented in - global systems through international cooperation.

Discussion Prompt: What’s your take on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

Reading: Additional material: The Brundtland Report, 1987

Graded AssignmentGraded: Week 1

WEEK 2

Managing human impacts on the natural world

In this second module, we will have a more detailed look at the scientific evidence that human activities are influencing the Earth at the planetary level. You will be introduced to the concepts of Anthropocene and Planetary Boundaries. The biosphere (all living organisms or "biodiversity") is arguably just as - or more - important than climate for establishing the environmental conditions we enjoy on Earth, but receives much less attention. This module, therefore, will focus on monitoring and managing human impacts on climate and biodiversity as well as the potential consequences of failing to meet the goals of the SDGs relating to climate and biodiversity.

Where the last module focused on the impact of humanity's activities on the bio-physical components of the Earth system, this final section first focuses on the condition of humans, themselves, and the SDGs focusing on the improvement of that condition. You will be introduced to the concept of Doughnut Economics, which builds on the Planetary Boundaries framework. Finally, this module examines current status for implementation and provides examples of how different actors are engaging in global efforts to achieve the goals.

The University of Copenhagen is the oldest University in Denmark - founded in 1479, and with over 38,000 students and more than 9,000 employees. The purpose of the University is to conduct research and provide education to the highest academic level. Based in Denmark's capital city it is one of the top research institutions in Europe.

This course, as methodically taught by Katherine (coupled with the discussions with other collaborators) has opened my eyes as a job seeker and as an intending Masters student to understand what the SDGs mean, why they exist, how they came about, the targets they set in clear terms and what my role is in achieving these goals. I have a deeper purpose for wanting a Masters degree and getting a job, I hope getting an opportunity in these two areas of my endeavour gives me an opportunity to attain these SDGs on the long run.

Lets get more people to access this course, especially young people in African (SSA) countries, the challenge this side is payment methodology, you should come up with payment methodology say locally so that most people can access the course. It is so incredible!!!